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J. H. RAND.

INDEX.

APPLICATION FILED APR- l7. l9l8.

Patented Aug. 5, 1919.

J. H. RAND.

INDEX.

APPLICATION FILED APR.I7,19I8- Paiented Aug. 5, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 till JAMES H. RAND, OF NORTH TONAWANDA, NEW YORK.

INDEX.

name.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 5, IQIF.

Application filed. April 17, 191s. Serial No. 229.031.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I,JAMEs II. RAND, citizen of the United States of America, and resident of North Tonawanda, in the county of Niagara and State of New York, have invented. new and useful Improvements in Indexes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to index devices of the kind in which the index elements are supported in a frame in overlapped spaced relation with their margins projecting one beyond another. i

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate certain embodiments of the invent1on,

Figure 1 is a face view of part of an index device containing the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side or edge view of said index device;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 4-4 of Fig. 1; v

Fig. 5 is a face view of one of the index elements with the card insert removed;

Fig. 6 is a face view of said index element with the card insert in place;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical section of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a detail, on a still larger scale, of the top part of Fig. 8;

Fig. 9 is a face view of a part of an index device containing certain modifications;

Fig. 10 is a side or edge view of the device shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged vertical section of the lower part of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 1s a face view of one of the index elements of the form shown in Figs. 9-11; and

Fig. 13 is a modification of the frame construction, hereinafter described.

Referring first to Figs. 1-8: The frame which is preferably made of sheet metal, comprises a Hat back A, and pair of inwardly extending flanges B forming opposed channels. The flanges B, as herein shown, are bent up from theouter edges of stri s C which are fastened to the margins of t e back A. Each flange B terminatesin a forwardly bent lip 12 which forms a rib ex- I tending lengthwiseof the front face of the flange. The inner edge of each strip C terminates in a head 0, which forms a lengthwise extending bearing rail, against which the index elements bear as hereinafter described. D is a pocket secured to the bottom of the frame.

A series of index elements, all alike, are arranged in the frame in overlapped spaced relation. Each index element comprises a body 1 of sheet material, preferably transparent sheet celluloid in the structure now being described, having lateral projections 2, 2, adjacent to one edge and extending under the flanges 2 of the frame to hold the index elements in the frame, and to slide lengthwise of the channels. The pair of projections 2 are preferably formed integrally of the same sheet material as the body, although this is not indispensable. The several elements are thus held at one edge in the frame, while the other edge is free to be swung away from the frame. The free margin of each element is also provided with a pair of lateral projections 3 which bear against the front of the flanges B. The projections 3 are also preferably, though not necessarily, formed integrally with the body of the index element, and consist of extensions of a folded-over margin of the element, 4:, which constitutes a stlfiening member extending across the free margin of the element, a transparent sheath in which an index strip may be inserted to display index characters or through which inscriptions on the margin of a card insert will show, and a pocket to hold the edge of the card insert as hereinafter described. The member 4 preferably terminates in an inturned lip 5 bearing flatwise against the body of the index element, affording both a smooth, finished edge for the fold i and a frictional pinching surface to grip the card insert by the inherent resilience of the sheet celluloid. Each index element is provided with supporting and spacing tabs or tongues 6, formed integrally with the index element and cut from the body thereof, in positions spaced from the edge of the elements as shown. The tabs 6, which are bent slightly to the rear, engage the edges of the next adjacent index element and hold the elements in overlapped spaced relation, so that the free margin of each element will project v into View beyond the edge of the next overlying element. When the body of the elements is made of material suitable to re ceive inscriptions, the records may if desired be entered directly thereon. It is desirable, however, when the index is used for constantly changing entries, and particularly when the elements are made of trans parent sheet celluloid, to provide cards 01' sheets of paper which may be readily and cheaply replaced as fast as used up, thus keeping the elements 1 as card holders, and permanent parts of the system. To this end each element may be provided with a tongue 7 out from the body of the element opposite the free margin, to engage one edge of a card 8, the other edge of which is slipped into the pocket formed by the sheath 4.

The operation of the device will be clear from the foregoing description. When it is desired to inspect the entries carried by one of the index elements the free margin of the next overlyingelement may be swung or sprung away from the frame, or the desired index element, together with those beyond it, may be slid lengthwise of the frame, as illustrated in Fig. 1, thus exposing the body of the desired element.

The beads or rails c on the frame serve to reduce friction or any tendency to bind, and facilitate the sliding of the elements in the frame; and also hold the elements away from the back of the frame so that the tabs 6 will not press against the back of the frame but will move freely as in grooves.

Reference is made to my copending application Serial Number 195,700, filed October 10, 1917, wherein grooves in the back of the frame for the supporting and spacing tabs 6, are claimed more generically.

Referring now to the form shown in Figs. 9 to 12: The frame may be the same as already described. Each index element, which in this form is preferably made of cardboard or some sheet material adapted to receive entries directly thereon, comprises as before a body l made with a pair of projections 2 adjacent to one margin to hold the elements in the frame. The pair of projections 3, adjacent to the free margin, consist of integral lateral projections which are extensions of the flat marginal portion of the card 1*. Each element is provided, as before, with supporting and spacing tabs 6 to engage the edge of the next adjacent element. The operation of the device is substantially the same as in the other form.

In either case the lips or ribs 6 on flanges B, serve to hold the free margins of the index elements a little forward from the frame and also facilitate the free slipping of the projections 3 or 3 along the front of the flanges B when the elements are moved lengthwise in the frame.

The invention may be used in an index device having upstanding index elements as illustrated in the drawings, or, by merely inverting the device top for bottom, an index device is provided having depending overlapping elements.

In either case the ribs 6 of flanges B perform the further functionof preventing the cards from twisting or cramping in the frame, as they form bearing surfaces for the side edges of the cards.

In the modification shown in Fig. 13, the flange B of the frame has a forwardly bent lip 12 corresponding to b ofthe other form and furnishing a bearing surface to engage the side edges of the card and prevent their twisting, and a laterally and outwardly bent lip 6 which affords a broad flat supporting surface for the projections 3 or 3, and avoids all danger of marring or cutting the projections on the sharper edges of lip b, which might result in use when two frames come together face to face,

I claim:

1. An index device comprising a frame having inwardly extending flanges forming opposed channels, a series of index elements arranged in overlapped spaced relation, each having means adjacent to one edge to engage said channels and hold the index element in the frame, the other edge being free to be swung away from the frame, and lateral projections at the free margin of each index element adapted to bear against the front of the flanges.

2. An index device comprising a frame having inwardly extending flanges forming opposed channels, a series of index elements arranged in overlapped spaced relation, each having lateral projections adjacent to one edge extending under said flanges and adapted to hold the index elements in the frame and to slide lengthwise of the channels, the other edge being free to be swung away from the frame, and'lateral projections at the free margin of each index element adapted to bear against the front of the flanges.

3. An index device comprising a frame having inwardly extending flanges forming opposed channels, a series of index elements of sheet material arranged in overlapped spaced relation, each having integrally formed lateral projections adjacent to one edge extending under said flanges to hold the index elements in the frame, the other edge being free to be swung away from the frame, and integrally formed lateral proj eetions at the free margin of each index element adapted to bear against the front of the flanges.

4. An index device comprising a frame having inwardly extending flanges forming opposed channels, a series of index elements arranged in overlapped spaced relation, each having means adjacent to one edge to engage said channels and hold the index element in the frame, the other edge being free to be swung away from the frame, and a stiffening member on the free margin of each index member projecting laterally beyond the sides of the index element adapted to bear against the front of the flanges.

5. An index device comprising a frame having inwardly extending flanfw forming opposed channels, a series of in ex elements arranged in overlapped spaced relation, each having means adjacent to one edge to engage said channels and hold the index element in the frame, the other edge being free to be swung away from the frame, and a sheath of transparent material on the free margin of each index member projecting laterally beyond the sides of the index element adapted to bear against the front of the flanges.

6. An index device comprising a frame having inwardly extending flanges forming opposed channels, a series of index elements arranged in overlapped spaced relation, each having means adjacent to one edge to engage said channels and hold the index element in the frame, the other edge being free tobe swung away from the frame, each index element having across its free edge a folded margin projecting laterally beyond the sides of the index element adapted to bear against the front of the flanges.

7. An index device comprising a frame having opposed channels, and a series of index elements of sheet material having laterally extending means adjacent to one edge to engage said channels and hold the index element in the frame, the other edge being free to be swung away from the frame, and lateral projections at the free till margin of each index element adapted to bear against the front face of the frame, each index element having supporting and spacing tabs formed integrally with the index element and cut from the body thereof, in positions spaced from the edge of the index elements, adapted to engage the edge of the adjacent index element and hold the same in overlapped spaced relation.

8. An index device comprising a frame having inwardly extending flanges forming opposed channels, each flange having a lengthwise extending ribon its front face, a series of index elements arranged in overlapped spaced relation, each having means adjacent to one edge to engage'said channels and hold the index elements in the frame, the other edge being free to be swung away from the frame, and lateral projections at the free margin of each index element adapted to bear against the ribs on the front of the flanges- 9. An index device comprising a frame having inwardly extending flanges forming opposed channels, each flange terminating in a forwardly bent lip forming a rib on the front face of the flange, a series of index elements arranged in overlapped spaced relation, each havin edge to engage said channels and hold the means adjacent to one index elements in the frame, the other edge bein free to be swung away from the frame, and lateral projections at the free margin of each index element adapted to bear against the ribs on the front of the flanges.

10. An index device comprising aframe having inwardly extending flanges forming opposed channels, each flange terminating in a forwardly bent lip forming side bearing surfaces for the side edges of the index elements, and a series of index elements, ar ranged in overlapped spaced relation, each having means adjacent to one horizontal edge to engage said channels and hold the index elements in the frame, the other edge being free to be swung away from the frame, the side edges of said index elements being adapted to bear against said forwardly bent lips to prevent the twisting of the index ele ments in the frame.

11. An index frame of sheet metal comprising a back and inwardly extending marginal flanges forming opposed channels, each flange being bent forwardly to form side bearing surfaces for the card edges, and thence being bent laterally and outwardly.

12. An index frame of sheet metal, comprising a back, and a pair of strips fastened to the margins of the back, the inner edges of said strips terminating in a bead forming lengthwise extending bearing rails, and the outer edges being bent inwardly and constituting flanges forming opposed channels.

13. An index frame of sheet metal comprising a back, and a pair of strips fastened tothe margins of the back, the inner edges of said strips terminating in a bead forming lengthwise extending bearing rails, and the outer edges being bent inwardly and constituting flanges forming opposed channels, said flanges terminating in forwardly bent lips.

14. An index element of sheet material having two pairs of laterally extending projections adjacent to opposite margins, one pair being adapted to extend under the flanges of an index frame, and the other pair being adapted to bear against the outer sides of said flanges.

15. An index element of sheet material having two pairs of laterally extending projections adjacent to opposite margins, and formed integrally of the same sheet material as the body of the index element, one pair being adapted to extend under the flanges of an index frame, and the other pair being adapted to bear against the outer sides of said flanges.

Signed by me at Boston, Massachusetts, this twelfth day of April, 1918.

JAMES H. RAND. 

